
MY DEAR CORNELIA
I WE DISCUSS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS AND CRITICS
II I MEDITATE, IN FRONT OF A BOOKCASE, ON SCOTT, JANE AUSTEN, CHARLOTTE BRONTË, AND THE GOOD VICTORIANS
III H. G. WELLS, GALSWORTHY, MAY SINCLAIR, J. D. BERESFORD
IV SEVEN REASONS FOR MR. HERGESHEIMER, D. H. LAWRENCE, AND THE EMETIC SCHOOL
V WE DISCUSS MARRIAGE AND THE HOPE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION
I CORNELIA’S CHILDREN REACT TO A SUITABLE MATCH
II “LET’S WALK”
III PREREQUISITES OF A DECENT MARRIAGE
IV CORNELIA APPRECIATES HER HUSBAND
In this intimate, epistolary work a thoughtful narrator writes to Cornelia, a strikingly poised woman whose presence seems to command both admiration and quiet reverence. Their correspondence reveals a blend of affection, gentle rivalry, and shared curiosity, especially about the role of literature and the responsibilities of parents and critics in shaping young minds.
Through vivid recollections of summer walks, wedding memories, and candid debates on “unprintable” books, the narrator explores how Cornelia’s precise, almost austere sensibility clashes with the messy realities of contemporary fiction. Their dialogue becomes a window into the cultural anxieties of the 1920s, offering listeners a glimpse of spirited intellectual exchange set against the backdrop of privileged social circles. The piece balances wit, tenderness, and a subtle critique of censorship, inviting you to linger in the nuanced world of two minds that both challenge and complement each other.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (301K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1924.
Credits
Bob Taylor, hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Release date
Jun 26, 2023
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1926
A leading American literary critic of the early 20th century, he taught generations of students before moving into newspaper journalism. He is still remembered for his sharp public debate with H. L. Mencken and for bringing serious literary discussion to a wider audience.
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